Microsoft aims to ‘Elevate America’
Washington was selected as one of the first states to partner with Microsoft in its “Elevate America” job training program. Elevate America works with local government, private, public and community organizations across the country to prepare up to two million workers with strong technical skill sets by offering free certification and technical trainings. 

“At the federal, state and local level, leaders are working together to help start the engine of economic growth. The private sector provides much of the spark needed to jump-start that engine,” Gov. Chris Gregoire said to CNET in a statement. “Washington state is pleased to be the first state to partner with Microsoft to provide Elevate America to our residents.”

Read more from CNET and Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Columbia Basin Herald: “Grant EDC optimistic about future”
Grant County Economic Development Council (EDC) is positive about the county’s future as several businesses, including Homegrown Oil, Intuit and Morse Steel, have shown interest in relocating to the area. At the EDC’s membership banquet, the board discussed plans to continue efforts in infrastructure and workforce development in the coming year. Grant County expects to see economic development in the coming months as the Quincy wastewater facility begins pre-employment training for workers in April, and thanks to EDC efforts, commercial air service will return to the county. Read about more of the proposed projects for the area in the Columbia Basin Herald.

Washington State Tourism Releases 2008 Travel Impacts Report
In 2008, visitors to Washington spent $15.7 billion in the state – an increase of 5.7 percent from 2007, according to a report released by the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) and Washington State Tourism. The report showcases the economic benefits of the tourism industry in Washington, including generating job opportunities and tax benefits.

WSU innovators forum in Bellevue, “Recovery or Reinvention?”
Washington State University is holding an innovators luncheon titled “Recovery or Reinvention?” Tuesday, March 3, in Bellevue. Leading experts on innovation, economic development and personal finance will address economic strategies for when the economy starts moving again. Experts participating in the forum include:

• Egils Milbergs, Director of Washington State Economic Development Commission; Founder and President, Center for Accelerating Innovation
• John Gardner, WSU Vice President for Economic Development and Extension
• John Nofsinger, WSU Professor and Nihoul Faculty Fellow in Finance

For more details or to register for the event, visit The Innovators Web site.

Todd Shipyards awarded a five-year, $29 million contract to retrofit U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker
Todd Shipyards in Seattle has been awarded a five-year, $29 million contract to retrofit the Polar Star, a U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker. According to Steve Welch, Todd Shipyards chief executive officer, the project will create 175 jobs for the shipyard and 85 jobs for subcontractors. Todd is the largest private shipyard in the Pacific Northwest, and is a leader in the state’s marine services industry. Read more in the Seattle PI.

Washington export numbers strong in 2008
Washington exports grew to a record $66.8 billion in 2008 and maintained its rank as the 4th largest exporter in the United States, according to the World Institute for Strategic and Economic Research (WISER).  Agricultural exports grew by more than 90 percent from 2007, and other sectors, including industrial machinery, forest products, and high-tech equipment, saw additional growth.  To support and promote trade in Washington, the state’s Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) international trade representatives will travel to cities across the state March 16-20 for Trade Week: Bringing the World to You.  The representatives will visit Spokane, Bellingham, Kent, Olympia, Wenatchee, Bellevue and Tacoma to offer current and potential exporters insight into foreign markets and assist local businesses in capitalizing on a global marketplace. Read the exports press release on the Governor’s web site.

“Centralia Port is doing its part:  Job creation”
Millard Refrigerated Services, the second-largest refrigerated warehouse and distribution company in the country, held a ground-breaking ceremony last week at its site inside the Port of Centralia.  Millard chose to expand to Centralia because of the Port’s location, existing infrastructure and proven record of reliability and timeliness.  The project will bring 66 jobs to Centralia in the next few months and potentially even more if the company follows through on considerations to double its existing plans for a 150,000 square foot site on 15 acres.  Read more in The Chronicle or The Olympian.

Economic strategist joins Governor’s Council on Aerospace
Governor Chris Gregoire has appointed economic strategist Bill McSherry, of the Puget Sound Regional Council, as a special adviser on aerospace.  McSherry will lead efforts to sustain and expand the aerospace industry and jobs in Washington.  Learn more on this story from Northwest Public Radio or continue the discussion on The Prosperity Blog.

Seattle Times:  Leaders from U.S., China in Seattle to discuss clean energy
Government and business leaders from the U.S. and China — the world's two biggest energy consumers and greenhouse-gas producers — met at Puget Sound Energy in Bellevue on Monday and Tuesday to discuss ways they can increase energy efficiency and promote increased use of renewable energy.   They also spent time reviewing and discussing energy policies in the context of a new U.S. administration and a global economic downturn. Ultimately, the countries aim to hold a future U.S.-China Presidential Summit to remove barriers to cooperation and encourage innovative thinking and solutions.  For more information, read the story in the Seattle Times.

Cleantech, health care industries to thrive in 2009
According to a report from Washington Employment Security Department, cleantech and health care industry jobs will thrive in 2009.  Washington’s cleantech industry is expected to increase jobs focused on finding new energy solutions this year because of the industry’s economic viability.  The health care industry also expects to expand its hiring to meet the needs of an aging population.  Read the full story in the Bellingham Herald or learn more from the Washington Labor Market Quarterly Review, 4th Quarter Report.

New report shines light on performance of state's workforce programs
A new report, published by the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, measures how well Washington is doing in educating and training its workers for the future. The vast majority of programs provided a significant return on taxpayer dollars, with participants becoming employed in greater numbers, earning higher wages and requiring fewer social services.

Washington's Innovation Summit 2009 Presents Stellar Lineup of Speakers
Washington Technology Center is pleased to announce a lineup of more than 50 innovators and thought leaders in industry, research and government who will address demand-driven innovation, sustainability and technology at Washington's Innovation Summit 2009 in Bellevue, Washington on April 9.

CTED releases “Washington’s Green Economy: A Strategic Framework” draft report
CTED has released a comprehensive, economy-wide look at the opportunities created by energy independence and environmental preservation. This report is one of five key elements called for in last year’s legislation (ESSHB 2815), which established The Green Economy Jobs Initiative to address a framework for reducing greenhouse gases emissions. CTED earlier released its Green Jobs Definitions report in conjunction with Washington Employment Security’s 2008 Labor Market Survey. The definitions document is the first comprehensive glossary of the green economy. It provides common terminology for everyone engaged in the important work of exploring and building Washington’s clean, green economic future. Read the full report on CTED’s Web site. For more information, also visit the Department of Ecology’s Green Economy Web site or read other energy publications.

Startup Weekend capitalizes on innovative thinking, 12 companies developed in 54 hours
More than 150 tech entrepreneurs — including developers, designers and marketers — from across the country came to the Pacific Northwest this weekend for “Seattle Startup Weekend” at Google’s Fremont office. Their goal was to brainstorm ideas for a new, innovative company and build a functioning business around it in less than 54 hours. Twelve apps were developed over the weekend including a site that allows people to create a photo mosaic made up of smaller photos, a site that connects food producers with consumers, and a Twitter screening application. This was Seattle’s second time hosting the event. John Cook’s Venture Blog on Tech Flash posted updates on the event here and here.

PSBJ: “Eastern Washington abounds in alternative energy firms”
“With the Obama administration stressing green energy as a key to its economic recovery plan, Eastern Washington boasts a number of companies and initiatives…that could give the region a jump start in green economic growth. The region has ample agricultural material for biofuel production, plenty of sunshine and wind for green energy, a core of manufacturing know-how, and research support from WSU and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.” Read the full article in the Puget Sound Business Journal.

Seattle’s reputation as a clean tech hub could make it a national research and development project
Xconomy has identified Seattle as in the running for a national clean tech research and development project. The Brookings Institute of Washington D.C., is proposing developing a network of two dozen or more Energy Discovery Innovation Institutes across the country.  Seattle’s reputation as an innovative clean tech hub could make it a center for the project, which aims to form a network of the nation’s top scientists, engineers and facilities with industry, state government, universities and investors. The proposal, which has gotten the attention of the Obama administration, would be funded with annual budgets of as much as $200 million from competitive research grants to jump start innovation in alternative energy. Read the Xconomy article here.

Port of Seattle shares economic impact to state
The Port of Seattle released a report showing its importance to Washington’s economic development. The report shows that the port generated 111,317 direct jobs and $9.5 billion in income in 2007. Port facilities generate more than $17 billion in revenue for businesses who provide services to those facilities annually and produce $867 million each year in state and local tax dollars. The jobs and revenues generated by the port place the public agency near the top of key area employers. Check the Puget Sound Business Journal or the Port of Seattle’s press release for more information.

Life Sciences, Aerospace, Clean Tech and Digital Media Lead Washington’s Economic Sector Development
Area Development Magazine interviewed CTED Interim Director Larry Williams to discuss Washington’s economic development efforts. Williams reports that Washington’s robust business climate, strong industries and reputation for innovation and invention attract companies to the state and have helped create more than 225,000 jobs since 2005. Life sciences and global health, aerospace, clean technology, and information and communication technology industries lead the state’s economic development. Learn more from the Area Development Magazine article here.

TechFlash: Spring Wireless sets up North American headquarters in Seattle
Spring Wireless, an 8-year-old telecommunications company founded in Sao Paulo, Brazil, has selected Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood as the site of its U.S. headquarters.  Shakil Haroon, Spring Wireless’s Seattle general manager, identified the region’s cluster of wireless companies as one reason for choosing Seattle as their North American headquarters.  The company plans to add as many as 35 workers here over the next 18 months. For more information, see TechFlash here.

State board invests more than $2 million in economic development projects
The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) announced more than $2 million in public investments to create and retain jobs and boost business growth in Chelan, Lincoln and Mason counties. Read the press release here.

Xconomy: “UW Starts Program to Train Faculty in the Art of Startups”
“The University of Washington’s TechTransfer department has launched a new program over the last four months that brings local entrepreneurs into the university to help academic researchers in the early stages of starting a company. This program, which is part of UW’s startup-support service, LaunchPad, matches volunteer entrepreneurs with faculty and other researchers interested in learning what it takes to build a successful company.” Read the full story at Xconomy.